MHEC Media Release
Maryland Higher Education Commission Encourages FAFSA Completion Before March 1 Deadline
Baltimore, MD - The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) is encouraging students to complete and submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form before the March 1 State Priority Deadline.
Completing the FAFSA opens doors to college for thousands of Maryland students each year, unlocking vital financial resources that make higher education possible. Access to college remains one of the most powerful drivers of economic mobility, helping families build generational wealth and creating various pathways to opportunity.
“Each year, MHEC helps make college possible for students across the state through more than $130 million in state financial aid,” said Dr. Sanjay Rai, Secretary of the Maryland Higher Education Commission. “To access these life-changing opportunities, Maryland students and families who have not completed their 2025-26 FAFSA form should do so as soon as possible.”
The National College Attainment Network reports that as of January 31, 2025, only 31.8% of Maryland high school seniors have submitted their FAFSA. MHEC wants to make sure that all high school seniors know that even students who are not planning to attend a 4-year institution of higher education should complete the FAFSA. Financial aid, as determined by the information provided on the FAFSA form, can be used for community college, technical and trade schools, career training programs, and more.
The U.S. Department of Education has created a toolkit to assist students and families with completing the FAFSA. Remember, Maryland students could benefit from both federal and state financial aid to attend a Maryland higher education institution, but the process starts with filling out the FAFSA.
For more information on how to successfully complete the 2025-26 FAFSA form, visit any of the links below.
Pro Tips: https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/fafsa-support/pro-tips
FAFSA Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmEP38x-1Z8
FAFSA Boot Camp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fao1ZwhN_no
To learn more about MHEC and how we support our students, visit mhec.maryland.gov.
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